Pine Belt schools participate in state ACT prep program

BAY SPRINGS, MS (WDAM) - Laurel High School and Bay Springs High School are among 15 schools in the state chosen as pilot schools for the first ever state-sponsored ACT Math prep program. Faculty at Bay Springs High School said the goal is to increase their students' scores to ensure their success.

Bay Springs High School juniors will start their school year off with a little extra assistance when it comes to their ACT Math Test.

“The standard is set for students who show that they are college ready to score a 22,” said Bay Springs Principal Kesia Pope. “Of course, we already have some students who have met that standard, but there are some that are lurking right around that 19 and 20 and we are counting on the Jumpstart reinforcement to push them over that hump.”

The Jumpstart Test Prep is a $100,000 state program to help juniors improve their ACT Math scores.

Pope said all the students have classroom and home access to the program.

“Each student does have their own individual score report,” Pope said. “The teachers have that so they can see the specific concepts where the students do need the additional reinforcements and that is our guide.”

Pope said the test prep focuses on each individual students strengths and weaknesses.

“I think it’s a very good program,” math teacher Shelia Tally said. "It reviews back not only what we’re going over now, but it also goes back and reviews what these students have no seen since fifth, sixth and seventh grade.

Pope said the February ACT test will be the measurement to see the effectiveness of the program.

According to the Jumpstart Test Prep website, they say their “unique preparation approach helps students of all ability levels stay fully engaged and gain the most improvement in the shortest time by explaining difficult content in a way that every student can follow and understand.”

Pope said the school has a B rating and this is just one the ways they plan to keep that score and even increase it.